The 2023 NFL Season is here, and the Music City Drive In is getting you ready. Check back each day from now until September 3 as we look at each team and make award and playoff predictions. Agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comments.

Things didn’t go according to plan for the Panthers in 2022. After adding Baker Mayfield, the Panthers thought they had a new franchise quarterback. He flamed out on the field, soon replaced. So, too, was former Head Coach Matt Rhule, who was fired part-way through the season. The Panthers finished with a flourish, even climbing into the playoff race, but after a 7-10 season the team entered the off-season ready for change.

Off-Season Changes

After Rhule and Mayfield left the Panthers during the season, more players headed out after the season. The Panthers saw Sam Darnold leave to sign with the 49ers, while P.J. Walker signed with the Bears. Running back D’Onta Foreman, who split the work with Chuba Hubbard, also headed to Chicago. So, too, did top receiver D.J. Moore, who was traded to the Bears as part of a package to acquire the No. 1 overall pick.

In starting over, the Panthers hired Frank Reich as Head Coach and soon brought in veteran Andy Dalton at quarterback. The team also used the No. 1 overall pick to draft Bryce Young of Alabama. In two seasons starting for Alabama, Young threw for 8,200 yards and 79 touchdowns. He’s expected to become the face of the franchise.

The Panthers also built skill-position players around him. That started with bringing in former Eagles’ running back Miles Sanders. In 2022, Sanders had a career year with 1,269 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Panthers are hoping he can be a weapon for them in 2023. In the passing game, the team signed veteran receivers D.J. Chark and Adam Thielen, adding tight end Hayden Hurst. In the draft, the Panthers used their second selection to grab receiver Jonathan Mingo, adding another young weapon.

Fantasy Impact

The Panthers have options in the veteran Dalton and the No. 1 overall pick Young. While Dalton could start Week 1, I tend to think Young is the guy all season, barring injury. Young has plenty of upside in the position, which is why he was the No. 1 overall pick. I like him as a QB2 as a rookie.

In the backfield, Sanders figures to be the lead back with Hubbard as a contributor. I like Sanders as an RB2. I think he’ll find a way to contribute as a rusher and receiver. At tight end, Hurst was a great security blanket in Atlanta and then Cincinnati last year. I think he will be again for Young, finishing as a TE2.

The receiving corps is more of a guessing game. Chark and Thielen are the veterans and Mingo is the rookie, but the team also still has Terrace Marshall and Laviska Shenault. Someone is going to be a value, but it’s hard to feel confident at this point. I like Mingo for dynasty, but I’m leaning toward Thielen as the player I trust the most in 2023. He is a great Red Zone threat, and I could see him posting WR3 numbers again this season.

Prediction

The Panthers are starting over but they still have a lot of potential in a winnable division. Could they put it all together and come out on top? Very possible, but I think they might still have some ups and downs. The Panthers won seven games in 2022 and I think a seven- or eight-win season feels right for 2023, too.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.